Lens test results for Leica R180mm f2.8 APO

I am an M6 enthusiast because of its lenses. I have recently bought a R8 with 35mm/2.0 and 100mm/2.8. I am interested in getting either the VAE 70-180/2.8 APO or stick to prime lenses and buy the 180/2.8 APO - according to Erwin Puts the 180/2.8 APO is way better than the VAE at the 180 range and I already have a respectable 100/2.8. Any views?

Answers

Chasseur gives it 5 stars for performance. They only complain about
the price and lack of a tripod mount. I own the 180 Apo Telyt, which
got 4 stars, and the performance is great. I dislike the lack of
tripod mount and long close focusing distance, 2.5 meters for the
Telyt.

You will find the 180mm f2.8 APO is a fantastic lens to use:
- weight and balance are ideal with the R8, inducing remarkable hand
held stability. The balance is further improved by the internal
focusing architecture;

- the focusing ring is the most comfortable and the smoothest I have
ever used (much smoother than the 100 macro), manageable with one
finger (for example your left hand thumb or index, with the camera
resting securely in the palm of your hand);

- results are irreproachable, and ALL test benchmarks concur on this;

- the 70-180 f2.8 zoom is way too heavy for handheld usage. Adding
the 180mm fixed focal to your 100mm macro is the way to go. There is
no problem using a tripod, either with the special ring mentioned by
Lucien or with the tripod attached to the camera.

Furthermore, sticking to the "leicaphile" discipline of fixed focal
lens usage (move around your subject and only change focal lengths
when you have to) is, in my experience, a recipe for more interesting
pictures. Leave such heavy zooms to situations were moving is
forbidden. I can only think of specific photojournalism situations
that might really require such zooms.

Thanks for the really sound advice everyone! Does anyone know where
I can get hold of the STA-1 tripod collar? It'd be great if anyone
know where I can read on the internet some reviews on the 180mm 2.8
(I have read Erwin Puts' review).

I have the 2,8/180 Apo and I like it very much. To get the best
possible picture quality I would ualso suggest to get a tripod collar
for this lens and use a monopod or tripod if possible. You can also
use this lens to photograph small wildlife as butterflies etc. with a
diopter lens. As Leica have no such lens to offer, I bought the
Pentax S87 instead. It is the only 2-lens-diopter with a 67mm thread
and the right focal lenght for the 180 Apo that I could find.

Thanks very much for the advice Thomas. Which tripod collar do you
use - the STA-1? Do I really need it? Re the diopter lens - will
this make it into a "macro" lens? If so what is the reproduction
ratio? What is th quality of the Pentax lens? Seems a shame to pair
an APO lens with something which may degrade the overall quality.